Everything works for a while, and vegetarianism is no exception. Many people adopt a vegetarian lifestyle believing it will improve their health and longevity. While it may provide benefits for a period of time, the unfortunate reality is that going too long without animal protein can lead to nutritional deficiencies, poor health, illness, and even a shortened lifespan.
The Risks of a Plant-Only Diet
A study published in the journal Nutrition found that vegetarianism may actually increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. According to the research, “The low dietary intake of protein and sulfur amino acids by a plant-eating population leads to subclinical protein malnutrition, explaining the origin of hyperhomocysteinemia and the increased vulnerability of these vegetarian subjects to cardiovascular diseases.”
Further evidence comes from Dr. Barry Groves in The Naive Vegetarian, where he examined archaeological and anthropological studies of bones and fossils spanning four million years. His findings suggest that humans evolved primarily on a carnivorous diet.
Dr. Groves also challenges many of the common arguments in favor of vegetarianism. If you or someone you know is considering adopting this lifestyle, I highly recommend reading his full paper. It could be a lifesaver!
The Texture Solution
Over the years, I’ve consulted with many vegetarians—especially fashion models—who had no ethical objections to eating meat but struggled with its texture. In these cases, I suggest making soups or stews using a slow cooker (Crock-Pot) to tenderize the meat.
This strategy has been highly effective. One client, for example, saw her total sum of 10 skinfolds drop by 18%—from 121.4 mm to 99.0 mm—over a four-month period by incorporating meat into her diet in this way. Providing the essential raw materials for building lean muscle helped her shed body fat and significantly improved her health and energy levels. As a side note, once skinfold measurements dip below 100 mm, well-defined abdominals usually become visible.
A Final Thought
Despite the growing trend toward vegetarianism, obesity and disease rates continue to climb. Before making extreme changes to your diet, do your research. In the end, a vegetarian lifestyle may not “meat” your standards!
